P Visa Interview Questions & Answers

P visa is temporary visa granted to non-US residents like athletes, entertainer, an artist and in fact for their children and spouse to reside in the country for time being. However, one has to go through the interview process to get the P visa successfully. Do n’t let your visa declined by the embassy for unknown reasons. Here is a list of pvisa interview questions and answers that get you through the interview. The job interview questions and answers at wisdomjobs.com will get you through the process easily and make your P visa application successful in a single attempt most of the times. The questions guide you and your spouse about the preparation that you need to undergo to face the job interview.

P Visa Interview Questions And Answers

P visa is for certain athletes, artists and entertainers who wish to live and work temporarily in the United States. To begin the application process, the future employer must file a Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) in the United States with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security. If approved, the USCIS will mail the petitioner a Form I-797 (Notice of Action). The beneficiary may then apply for a P visa at the United States Embassy or Consulate. The P visa consists of four classifications: P-1, P-2, P-3 and P-4. The P visa classification covers aliens that are internationally recognized athletes, artists or entertainers.

The spouse and unmarried children of the P visa holder may also accompany the P visa holder to the United States during his or her duration of stay. The P-1 visa may be issued to an individual or to a team or group. The P visa allows for individuals that are part of a team or entertainment group to come to the United States and perform temporarily. Other classifications under the P visa cover individuals who perform, teach or coach in culturally unique programs.

The P-1S, P-2S and P-3S visas are designated for support staff intending to stay in the U.S. temporarily as an essential part of a competition or performance, athletic or arts and entertainment-related.

An internationally recognized artist, entertainer, or athlete may enter into the U.S. to participate in a performance for a U.S. employer or an international employer working through a U.S. agent. The performance must require a performer of international quality.

A P visa is a type of temporary employment visa of the United States, granted to alien athletes, artists, and entertainers, and their spouses and children.

The P visa classifications are as follows:

P-1 visa (Internationally Recognized Athletes/Entertainers): An internationally recognized athlete traveling to the United States to compete and his or her essential support personnel require P-1 visas. An internationally recognized entertainer traveling to the United States to perform requires a P-1 visa. P-1 applies to individual or team athletes, or members of an entertainment group (P-1B) that are internationally recognized. A maximum of 25,000 P visas are issued annually.

P-2 visa (Reciprocal Exchange Program): P-2 visa applies to artists or entertainers who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program.

P-3 visa (Culturally Unique Programs): P-3 applies to artists or entertainers who perform under a program that is culturally unique. An artist or entertainer who is traveling to the United States to perform, teach, or coach under a culturally unique program requires a P-3 visa.

P-4 visa (Spouse and Children of a P Visa Holder): P-4 is for the spouse, or child under the age of 21, of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien and who is accompanying, or following to join, the alien. Spouses and children under the age of 21 can receive P-4 visas to travel with or follow-to-join the principal alien in the United States.

P-1 visa is appropriate for internationally recognized athletes or athletic teams entering the U.S. to participate in an event of international standing, and entertainers and entertainment companies recognized internationally as outstanding to tour the U.S. or participate in events distinguished circus artists who wish to work in the US.

P-1 visas are available for international artists, athletes and entertainers who wish to perform in the United States. For example, there are approvals for several international Kung Fu athletes under the P-1 visa category. The athletes have been members of national teams and successfully participated in international competitions all over the world. As a result, these Kung Fu athletes have been able to enter the United States to participate in various competitions, as well as work and coach at Kung Fu schools.

A performer should prove that he or she plays an integral part in the performance of the event. The defination is that P2 visa performer should perform "an integral part of the performance which cannot be readily performed by a U.S. worker and which are essential to the successful performance of the services."

To qualify as a P-1 visa for an athlete, the alien athlete or sport team should have an internationally recognized reputation in the sport. The alien applicant should demonstrate the internationally recognized reputation to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), by showing a contract with a major U.S. sports league, team, or international sporting event, with at least two of the following evidence:

proof of the applicant's or team’s previous significant participation with a major U.S. sports league;

proof of participation in an international competition with a national team;

proof of previous significant participation with a U.S. college in intercollegiate competition;

evidence that the person or team is internationally ranked;

proof that the person or team has received a significant honor or award in the sport;

a written statement from an official of a major U.S. sports league or the governing body of the sport, explaining exactly how the person or team is internationally recognized;

a written statement from the sports media or a recognized expert regarding the person's or team's international recognition.

The P-1 classification is available only to members of foreign-based entertainment groups, not individual entertainers. In addition, the P-1 alien must be coming to perform and/or compete. The P-1 petition is filed in conjunction with the I-129 form and submitted to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In support of P-1 petitions, the P-1 alien must submit copies of their international awards, certificates of accomplishment, and photographs documenting their activities and accomplishments. In addition, a consultation discussing the alien's ability from a U.S. labor organization is also required. For entertainment groups, the petition should include documentation that the group is internationally recognized as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.

In addition, for entertainment groups, the USCIS also accepts evidence such as reviews, newspaper articles, magazine articles, advertisements, etc. P-1 petitions can be approved for up to 5 years for an individual athlete, or the period of time determined by the USCIS director to be necessary to complete the event or activity.

The P-2 visa is for an alien coming to the United States to perform as an artist or entertainer individually or as part of a group or to perform as an integral part of the performance of such group, and who seeks to perform under a reciprocal exchange program.

Normally, there are three P-2 reciprocal agreements:

one between the American Federation of Musicians (U.S.) and the American Federation of Musicians (Canada);

one between the Actor's Equity Association (U.S.) and the Canadian Actor's Equity Association; and 3) one between the Actor's Equity Association and the British Actors' Equity Association.

P-2 group performers can be included on a single petition, but the essential support aliens must be on a separate petition from the performers. Some of the required P-2 documentation includes a copy of the formal reciprocal exchange agreement between the U.S. organization sponsoring the alien and the organization in a foreign country and a statement from the sponsoring organization describing the reciprocal exchange of U.S. artists or entertainers as it relates to the specific petition for which classification is sought. P-2 visas are approved with a validity period only necessary to complete the event or activity, and not to exceed one year.

P-2 visa is designed for artists, individual and group entertainers who enter the United States via a reciprocal exchange program. Unlike the O-1 visa, the P-2 does not require that the artist or entertainer demonstrate prominence or experience in the field. The P-2 visa is for foreign nationals who are entertainers — either individuals or those who are part of a group. However, the P-2 visa applies only to reciprocal exchange programs between an organization in the US and another country.

The P-2 visa is issued to artists or entertainers, individually or as a group, as well as their essential support personnel, who will be performing under a reciprocal exchange program which is between an organization or organizations in the United States, which may include a management organization, and an organization or organizations in one or more foreign states and which provides for the temporary exchange of artists and entertainers, or groups of artists and entertainers.

Spouses and children of the P-1 visa holder may obtain a P-4 visa to enter and remain in the US. The P-4 visa holder may attend school but if he or she wishes to work, he or she must change his or her status to obtain a work visa.

The P-4 classification is issued to immediate relatives of P-1, P-2, and P-3 Visa holders who are accompanying or following to join the principal alien, but they are not afforded any right to be employed while in the United States while holding such visa status.

P-3 Visas are for aliens coming to the U.S. solely to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique. The required documentation for this visa includes: affidavits or testimonials regarding the beneficiaries; skills and the cultural uniqueness of the entertainment, the consultation, and evidence that all performances in the engagement are cultural in nature. P-3 visas are approved with a validity period only necessary to complete the event or activity, and not to exceed one year.

Before an alien worker can obtain a P visa to enter the United States, the employer should obtain an advisory opinion from an appropriate consulting entity (the advisory opinion must be from a labor organization) or show that an appropriate peer group, labor organization, or management organization does not exist;

the employer must obtain approval from the USCIS of P petition; and

A U.S. consulate must issue an alien a P visa based on the approved petition.

P-2 visas must be filed either by the sponsoring organization or U.S. employer. Required items include a written consultation from the labor organization in question, information regarding the reciprocal exchange program and a statement from the sponsoring organization with details regarding the reciprocal agreement.

An internationally recognized artist, entertainer, or athlete may enter into the U.S. to participate in a performance for a U.S. employer or an international employer working through a U.S. agent. The performance must require a performer of international quality.

Individuals applying for a P-1A visa must include a copy of his or her contract (for example, with a sports team) and a written consultation with the relevant labor organization for his or her field of work.

Additionally, certain evidence attesting to the individual's or a team's significance must be handed in, such as proof of significant prior participation in a major US sports league or US intercollegiate competition, or evidence that the individual or team places in international rankings if these exist for the sport.

A P-1B applicant must also include a written consultation with the significant labor organization and evidence that the foreign national or group is internationally recognized. To prove this, evidence can be submitted regarding the receipt of international awards or prizes. Proof of a certain level of critical success, acclaim and/or international recognition is also needed.

To establish "international recognition," a petitioner may rely either on documentation of a major, one-time achievement by the group, such as the nomination for, or receipt of, a significant international award or prize, or at least three of the following:

Has and will perform as leading/starring group in productions/events with distinguished reputations;

International recognition/acclaim for outstanding achievements;

Has and will perform as leading/starring group for organizations with distinguished reputations;

Support personnel visas must be filed alongside one of the other types of P visas. They must also include a written consultation from an appropriate labor organization, a written statement as to the foreign national's critical skills and prior experience, as well as a copy of any employment contracts.

International recognition is defined as a high level of achievement in a field evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered to the extent that the person is renowned, leading or well-known in more than one country.

P visas benefit talented individuals in the arts, sports and entertainments who are planning on a temporary stay in the United States in order to pursue, perform or teach their craft. It is a temporary worker visa with a variety of categories for foreign nationals with diverse skill sets. Although it may sound a lot like the O visa, the P visa differs in that applicants don't have to meet the O visa's "extraordinary ability" requirement.

The P-1 visa is a non-resident visa designated for entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who are coming to the US temporarily to perform at a specific competition or event. An athlete who wishes to remain in the US for a longer period of time should apply for an O1 visa.

USCIS had introduced a premium processing service that allows P Visa petitioners and beneficiaries to pay more than $1,000 premium-processing fee (in addition to regular filing fees) for expedited processing of their P Visa petitions.

In return for the premium processing fee, the USCIS will guarantee processing of petitions within 15 calendar days of receipt of the petition. Applications filed concurrently by dependents of a beneficiary choosing to use the Premium Processing Service will also be processed within 15 days without an additional premium processing fee.

If the USCIS does not issue an approval notice, notice of intent to deny, request for evidence, or notice of investigation for fraud or misrepresentation within 15 days of physical receipt of a petition, the Service will refund the premium processing fee but will still expeditiously process the case.

A sports team can file petition for its foreign athlete and for a P-1 visa to be granted to the team it must have achieved "international recognition" in the sport. An athlete who will come to the United States to compete in individual events rather than as a team must show that he or she is internationally recognized. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has defined "international recognition" as a "having a high level of achievement in a field evidenced by a degree of skill and recognition substantially above that ordinarily encountered, to the extent that such achievement is renowned, leading, or well-known in more than one country."

The event the athlete is coming to the United States to participate in must have a distinguished reputation and must require the participation of athletes and teams of international recognition. The definition is similar to that of O-1B "extraordinary ability," but somewhat more stringent. The reputation of the group, not the individual achievements of its members nor the acclaim of a particular production, is paramount.

An "O-1" visa is for an individual artist of International Renown; that is, well known outside his or her home country. A P-1 is for a group that meets the same standard.

P-2 visas are issued for Canadian artists/musicians entering the U.S. for a reciprocal exchange program. P-3 visas are for groups which are Culturally Unique - for example, musicians who perform folk music of their home country.

The following information is needed in order to issue a letter of consultation:

A cover letter explaining who the aliens are, where they are from, and what qualifies them as Culturally Unique or Internationally Renowned.

A copy of the USCIS form I-129.

Copies of any written contracts between the petitioner and the alien beneficiary, including what wages will be earned; or, if there is no written contract, a summary of the terms of the oral agreement under which the alien(s) will be employed.

A copy of the itinerary, including the names and addresses of the venues.

A roster with the musicians' instrumentation.

Support materials such as reviews, CD covers, programs, etc. which establishes the group or instrumental artist. Support materials must feature the instrumentalists - information on singers/actors/dancers only is NOT sufficient.

For individual P-1 athletes and support personnel, an initial period of stay can be approved for five years. An extension of stay can be granted for an additional period of five years for a total period of stay not to exceed 10 years.

For all other P nonimmigrants, the initial period of stay can be approved for the time necessary for the specific competition, event, or performance, up to a period of one year. If necessary, P extension can be granted in one-year increments in order to permit the P alien to complete the event listed in the initial petition.

1) Individual Athlete - Time needed to complete the event, competition or performance, not to exceed 5 years Individual Athlete –Increments of up to 5 years in order to continue or complete the event, competition or performance.

2) Athletic Group - Time needed to complete the event, competition or performance, not to exceed 1 year, increments of up to 1 year in order to continue or complete the event, competition or performance.

3) Essential Support Personnel - Time to complete the event, activity, or performance, may not exceed 1 year Increments of up to 5 years in order to continue or complete the event, competition or performance.

Although a P alien is required to maintain his foreign residency while he is in P status, he can lawfully seek to become a U.S. permanent resident. Therefore, the approval of a permanent labor certification or the filing of an immigrant petition is not a basis for denying a P petition, an extension request, or a change of status application.

Entertainers must be part of an entertainment group to obtain a P-1 visa. Individual artists cannot usually obtain a P-1 visa, except when joining the rest of their foreign entertainment group already in the United States. Like athletes, entertainers must be "internationally recognized" as outstanding in their area to be granted P visas, and have a sustained period of achievement no less than one year.

Additionally, a minimum for 75 percent of the group's individual members must have a substantial relationship to the group, generally satisfied by at least one year of membership.

The USCIS asks that you include a letter from an appropriate peer group or union to establish that the artist or group who is traveling to this country meets the standard of being Internationally Renowned (in the case of O-1 and P-1 Visas) or Culturally Unique (in the case of P-3 Visas). P-2 Visas are issued for artists and entertainers performing under a reciprocal exchange program - for example, Canadian musicians coming to perform in the U.S.

Where an agent files as petitioner and therefore employer, the individual must establish that he or she is also acting on behalf of multiple employers of the beneficiary. To do so, the agent must include evidence that he or she is "in the business as an agent."

USCIS adjudicators will consider evidence confirming that it is more likely than not that the petitioner is in the business as an agent for the series of events, services or engagements that is the subject of the petition. The analysis should be on whether the petitioner (agent) can establish that it is authorized to act as an agent for the other employers only for purposes of filing the petition.

Certain organizations can petition for P nonimmigrants even if they will not employ or directly pay the beneficiary. Rather, a sponsoring organization may petition for any beneficiary under the P classification so long as the petitioner confirms that it will assume responsibility for the terms of the petition.

The sponsoring organization should include a written agreement setting forth the terms of the performance with the beneficiary, and an affirmation that the organization will perform all of its obligations under the petition. The sponsoring organization need not directly employ the P nonimmigrant.

A dependent family member of musicians and performing artists generally is ineligible to work in the United States unless the person qualifies for an independent nonimmigrant status which authorizes employment. The spouse and children also can attend public school provided the principal has been admitted on a work authorized visa, such as P visa.

The “culturally unique” requirement has a significant role in the adjudication of P-3 visa applications for performing artists and entertainers. In many cases, musical groups and entertainers from foreign countries were denied a P-3 visa for failing to establish that their performance was “culturally unique” as required for the P-3 visa classification.

Generally, a “culturally unique” style of art or entertainment is not limited to traditional art forms, but may include artistic expression that is deemed to be a hybrid, or fusion of more than one culture or region. Due to the complex and novel issue in P-3 visa applications, the P visa regulatory definition of “culturally unique” requires USCIS adjudicators to make a case-by-case factual determination, and USCIS adjudicators will review the entire record of the musical groups or entertainers, which included expert written testimony, and corroborating evidence on behalf of the musical group or entertainers.

Individuals who hold P status in the United States may wish to apply for permanent resident status. There are multiple employment-based permanent residence options which may be available, as follows:

EB-1 person of extraordinary ability includes persons with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business and athletics. It is important to review the statute and regulations carefully.10 Note that a sponsoring employer is not needed for this category; however, the beneficiary must intend to continue in the area of his or her expertise.

EB-2 Aliens of Exceptional Ability in the sciences, arts or business is another category which may be available to musicians and performing artists, provided they have an offer of permanent employment. The definition of exceptional ability is a lesser standard than an EB-1 person of extraordinary ability.

Labor Certification. Labor certification will only be available where the P visa holder is offered full-time permanent employment.

The Diversity Visa Lottery may be available to certain musicians and performing artists who are citizens of eligible countries.

For the P visa holder, the approval of a labor certification or filing of a preference petition shall not be a basis to deny a P petition or extension. Note this does not apply to essential support personnel.

According to the USCIS, petitions involving multiple employers (meaning multiple "events" or venues) may now be filed by an agent that has authority to act both on behalf of the beneficiary and on behalf of multiple employers. The following is a list of recommended documentation to support the petition:

A complete itinerary of all events or services; the itinerary must specific dates of each service or engagement; the names and addresses of the actual employers, and the names and addresses of the establishments, venues or locations where the services will be performed;

The contracts between the employers and the beneficiary; and

An explanation from the agent, setting forth the terms and conditions of the employment and providing supporting documentation.